Means for multiple edging and squaring radio quartz crystals



' Aug. 28, 1945. L, A FABER 2,383,638.

MEANS FOR MULTIPLE EDGING AND SQUARING RADIO QUARTZ CRYSTALS Filed July 31, 1943 nun INZENTOR.

@2062 War Patented Aug. 28, 1945 FOR MULTIPLE EDGING AND SQUARIN G RADIO QUARTZ CRYSTALS Leon A. Faber, Sandwic h, Ill., assignor, by means assignments, to The James Knights Company, Sandwich, 11]., a corporation oi Illinois Application July 31, 1943, Serial No. 496,846

3' Claims.

The present invention relates to a novel method and mechanism for squaring and edging a large number of crystals in *a. single operation and in which the crystals being operated upon are formed uniform in dimensions and with corners disposed accurately at ninety degrees. In this novel means and'mechanism there is preferably provided a race or disc adapted to oscillate between spaced plates and carrying a plurality of holders or carriers each receiving and retaining a large number of crystals during the grinding and squaring operation.

The invention further comprehends a novel means and manner of grinding and forming the opposite edges of a series of crystals parallel and in providing a novel form of crystal holder or carrier so constructed and arranged as to be received in one of a series of suitably spaced openings in the race or disc so that as the race or disc is oscillated through a predetermined or desired are, each crystal holder with its enclosed crystals is gradually turned in its opening. In this way the grinding action is evenly accomplished throughout the entire operation and the opposite edges of the crystals are all uniformly and accurately ground in parallel planes.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efliciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical cross section through the novel construction and showing a crank arm adapted to be connected to or operated through a suitable power source for oscillating the disc and carriers and crystals carried thereby through a desired arc, the view being taken on the line ll of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the novel race or disc and showing the spaced openings each adapted to receive a. holder containing a plurality of crystals to be ground.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of one of the holders.

' such as Bakelite or other Figure 4 is a view in perspective of one of the holders and its contained crystals and showing the manner of carrying and retaining a plurality of crystals for the grinding operation.

Figure 5 isa view similar to Figure 4, but in which the crystals have been turned through an angle of 90 to expose the other two edges for the grinding operation.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing, the novel invention comprehends the provision of a circular race or disc I having a plurality of spaced openings 2 'with each openingadapted to receive a holder 3 carrying a plurality of crystals 4 to be ground. This race or disc may be constructed of any suitable material plastic or metal suitable for the work to be performed and is provided with a centrally disposed opening 5 having a bushing 8 for receiving a crank pin 1. Spaced lock washers 8 are adapted to secure the disc upon the crank pin 1 for oscillatory motion transmitted thereto by a crank arm 9 connected to any suitable source of power for oscillating the disc I through a desired or predetermined arc of oscillation. Disposed above and below the crank disc but spaced therefrom in any suitable manner is an upper plate l0 and a lower plate ll. These plates may be of any suitable material such as cast iron or the like and may be those customarily used on present day lapping machines.

The crystals 4 are loaded on end and side by side in the carriers or holders 3. After the crystals have been so loaded, each holder or carrier is inserted into an opening 2, with the openings being of such diameter as to allow approximately ,4; to 3 inch clearance between the holders or carriers and the inner circumference or periphcry of the opening, so that during the oscillatory motion of the race, each holder or carrier is free to gradually turn within its opening. In this manner the grinding action is evenly accomplished throughout the operation so that the opposite edges of all of the crystals are uniformly ground in a single operation with the result that the edges are ground perfectly parallel.

After these opposite edges are made parallel, the crystals are removed from the holder or carrier; turned through a 90 angle as shown in Figures 4 and 5, reinserted into the holder and the above operation is repeated. In this manner each of the tour edges is ground uniformly and to the desired degree, with the resulting comers or edges forming an angle of precisely 90. It will thus be 65 seen that all of the crystals being operated upon and dimension.

The-disc l is preferably provided with plugs l2 suitably spaced apart and protruding from the bottom of the race or disc so that the abrasive employed is permitted to run in the proper location for most ffective grinding operation. These plugs prevent the race from wiping the bottom plate free of abrasive and which would tend to slow down the grinding action.

The plates 10 and II are preferably formed smooth instead of grooved so that the crystals which are loosely disposed within the holders or carriers 3 are prevented from dropping into the grooves and becoming damaged during the oscillatory motion and grinding operation.

It will be readily appreciated that any abra sive suitable for the purpose may be employed, and although the drawings disclose an illustrative embodiment of one form of assembly in which the race or disc is mounted between the spaced plates l and I I, it will be understood that the novel method and manner of multiple edging and squaring radio quartz crystals can be readilyadapted to substantially all types of lapping machines by conforming the size and shape of the novel race or disc to the lapping machine in which it is to be employed, and permits application of the race or disc and crystal holders to such machines, including those of the planetary p From the above description and the disclosure in the drawings, it will be seen that the present novel invention comprehends grinding and squaring a large number of crystals in a single operation in which each of the finished crystals will be accurately edged and made uniform.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. Means for uniformly grinding the opposite edges of a plurality of quartz crystals in a single operation, comprising an oscillatory race having spaced openings adjacent its periphery, a series of substantially rectangular holders each adapted to receive and hold a plurality of crystals in edgewise relation with their oppositely disposed edges projecting beyond the opposite ends of the holder will be ground uniformly to a predetermined size and each holder adapted to be loosely received in an opening, an upper and lower abrasive surface disposed in contact with the opposite edges of the crystals, a crank connected to the race for oscillating it and the contained holders and crystals between the abrasive surfaces whereby to grind and square the exposed edges of the crystals, and spaced projections on the undersurface of the race for preventing the race from wiping the lower abrasive surface free of abrasive.

2. Means for uniformly grinding the opposite edges of a lurality of quartz crystals, comprising an oscillatory race having spaced openings therein, a series of substantially rectangular holders each 'adapted to receive and hold a plurality of crystals in edgewise relation with their oppositely disposed edges projecting beyond the opposite ends of the holder and each holder adapted to be loosely received in an opening, an upper and lower abrasive surface disposed in contact with the opposite edges of the crystals, means for oscillating the race and the contained holders and crystals. between the abrasive surfaces whereby to grind and square the exposed edges of the crystals, and spaced projections on the under surface of the race for preventing the race from wiping the lower abrasive surface free of abrasive,

3. Means ,for uniformly grinding the opposite edges of a plurality of quartzcrystals, comprising an oscillatory race having spaced openings therein, a series of substantially rectangular closed bands each adapted to receive and hold a plurality of crystals in edgewise relation with their oppositely disposed edges projecting beyond the opposite ends of the band and each band adapted to be loosely received in an opening, an upper and lower abrasive surface disposed in contact with the opposite edges of the crystals, means for oscillating the race and the contained bands and crystals between the abrasive surfaces whereby to grind and square the exposed edges of the crystals, and spaced projections on the under surface of the race for preventing the race from wiping the lower abrasive surface free of abrasive.

LEON A. FABER. 

